“Miss You” by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stone’s frontman Mick Jagger, who co-wrote and sings this song, has asserted that “it’s not really about a girl”. Instead he has insisted that it is rather based on “the feeling of longing”.
But honestly, the lyrics would suggest otherwise. And perhaps the reason Jagger has argued so is because at the time of this song’s release he was basically having an affair.
Indeed considering that he and his first wife, Bianca, were on the verge of a divorce and had already been separated since the year before this track came out (she actually filed for divorce the selfsame month “Miss You” was released), many have speculated that the titular “you” is actually she. It could also logically be a reference Jerry Hall, the woman whom he was having the affair with at the time and would eventually marry.
Either way, on this track the singer is grieving due to being separated from the woman he loves. In fact by the looks of things he thinks about her constantly, even when he’s asleep. And when the phone rings he jumps thinking it’s her, only to be disappointed once again when it’s not. Moreover, when his homeys invite him for a wild time with “some Puerto girls” who are quite anxious to meet him, he refuses. In other words, he is depressed – so depressed in fact that while out in public (Central Park to be exact) people perceive something is wrong and question his mental well-being. And this is the direct result of once again missing the one woman whom he is truly in love with.
In Conclusion
And conclusively, the insinuation is that this loved one is shunning him intentionally (which would mean it is Bianca). This finding is based on the final verse, where the singer finally resolves to force himself to get over the addressee. Basically he realizes that they are not going to get back together, as in she is not coming back to him. But of course his asserting that he “won’t miss” her is a fallacy. For in the final chorus (i.e. outro) he is even crying out to the “Lord” in pain.
So apparently, missing this particular lady is something he will have to deal with for a while, given the fact that he is clearly very much in love.
Facts about “Miss You”
“Miss You” was originally released on May 10, 1978, in the United States, but had to wait for another 16 days before it saw its release in the United Kingdom. The song was part of the band’s 16th American studio album, ‘Some Girls’.
After enjoying lots of airplay in America, this song managed to occupy the summit of Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1978. The song further performed well in weekly charts in other countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
The massive endorsement it enjoyed by disco lovers and music enthusiasts all over the world led to a lot of cover versions by a number of renowned artists and bands including The Concretes (2003), Kendra Morris (2013), and Carla Bruni (2017).
In addition to this, the song was certified gold by the RIAA after gaining 1 million certified units, and silver by the BPI.
People have suggested that Jagger drew his inspiration from his failing relationship with his wife, but he explained that the whole reason behind the song was to address the feeling of longing and “not really about a girl”.
Further explaining the reason behind the song, drummer, Charlie Watts stated that their frequent visits to the disco helped them to come out with such a masterpiece.
Who wrote “Miss You”?
It was written by The Rolling Stones legendary frontman, Mick Jagger, together with his bandmate Keith Richards.
